Crystal Palace and Brighton & Hove Albion could be in contention for the ‘elusive’ forward, with the Eagles taking the lead.
Palace look to new forward amid struggles ahead
Palace have found the back of the net just 33 times this season, the fourth-worst attacking record in the Premier League, but manager Oliver Glasner has made it clear that solidifying his side’s backline is a top priority.
Mr. Glasner said: “Our foundation has always been defense and everything we have achieved here. It has something to do with having had the best two years in Crystal Palace’s history. The foundation has always been great defense and not conceding as many goals.”
The low number of goals could be partly explained by Jean-Philippe Mateta’s decline in form, with the three-time France international having scored just two goals in his last 14 Premier League games, with the striker also spending time on the treatment table with a knee injury.
Mateta is expected to leave Selhurst Park in the summer transfer window, so they may need to bring in a replacement, although the Eagles have recently named Derby Country star Patrick Agyemang as a target.
However, there is also interest in a new winger, with Steve Parish and others setting their sights high and targeting the forward who has impressed so often in this season’s Champions League…
According to a report from Takvim (via Sports Witness), Crystal Palace are currently in contact with the agent of Galatasaray star Baris Alper Yilmaz, who has also been approached by Premier League rivals Brighton and Newcastle United.
Palace will send scouts to watch Yilmaz in action in the Champions League at Anfield on Wednesday night, with the Turkish side aiming to progress to the last eight after winning the first leg 1-0.
The three clubs will continue to monitor the Turkish player from now until the summer, at which point it is very likely that Galatasaray will receive some form of offer.
The 25-year-old has been in exceptional form this season, scoring six goals and providing 10 assists in 23 league games, helping Galatasaray rise to the top of the table.
Virgil van Dijk may be worried about the Turkish international ahead of Wednesday night, saying during Euro 2024: ”Baris Alper Yilmaz was always on the run. He was running elusive. It was difficult for any defender. He has done so much for us. However, he could not score a goal. To describe him one way or another, he’s a really important player.”
Crystal Palace, who have failed to find the back of the net in their last two games, could certainly bring in a player with goal-scoring ability and Yilmaz, who has scored 28 goals and provided 22 assists in 134 appearances in the Turkish Super Lig, could also be an exciting option.
New Eze and Olise: Crystal Palace line-up to replace Mateta in £20m move
Crystal Palace are ready to enter the EFL with a view to signing their next superstar.
